Heraklion, the Capital of Crete in the Greek Islands Contact Us Heraklion – an important port and point of entry for many visitors to Crete... Sometimes spelt as Heraklio, Iraklion or Iraklio! the capital of Crete lies centrally on the north coast of the Greek Island of Crete in the Prefecture of Heraklion. It has a nice international airport, named after the writer Nikos Kazantzakis. Heraklion is for many the gateway to the Greek island of Crete. It's here most will fly or sail to. It's here at these resorts east of the Town you'll find some of Crete's best beaches, which are included in our Best Beaches Guide . Heraklion has it's own attractions though, and is certainly worth a visit during your stay on Crete. Getting there and getting around The major ferry companies in Greece operate daily services from mainland Greece to Heraklion port – arriving early morning every day from Piraeus. The major players are: Cyprus Airways There exists other Itineraries from many European cities both scheduled and chartered services. Check out our Flights to Crete page.

The brilliant and cheap Crete bus service, KTEL, connects the town with many of the villages and towns of eastern Crete and there's a local bus service which will take you around the Town and out to Knossos, for example. Sightseeing in Heraklion In recent times a lot of effort has gone into making Heraklion a pleasant place for people, whether drivers or pedestrians. Large car parks have been set up on the outskirts of the town and there have been some efforts to pedestrianise certain streets in the town centre. THE VENETIAN FORTRESS OR KOULES Look out for the Koules at the fishing harbour near the modern port. As you can imagine, this formidable Venetian fortress helped protect the ancient city from invaders and sets off the great city walls, among the longest in Europe, helping to provide an impressive and effective defence. Off the coast and to the north is the small island of Dia. Here it was that famed nautical explorer Jacques Cousteau found evidence of ancient Minoan settlements. You can book trips to the island of Dia at travel shops in the town and near the harbour.

The Loggia is a fantastic example of Venetian architecture and is a 16th Century building with semi-circular arches, decorated with trophies and coats of arms. It was awarded the Europa Nostra First Prize in 1987 for being the best preserved and renovated monument in Europe for that year. St. Mark's Basilica, almost next door to the Loggia, is now the Municipal Art Gallery and is often used for public art and crafts exhibitions. Built in 1239 in the spectacularly named Square of Blades (Piazza delle Biade), it was once Crete's Cathedral. Lion's Square is the heart of Heraklion. The decorated fountain in the centre of the square comprises eight cisterns and is decorated with stone figures from Greek mythology, including nymphs, tritons, and monsters, together with a less fantastical creature, namely dolphins! No square named Lion's Square would be worth it's salt without some lions, and here you'll find four of them, supporting the main basin of the fountain with their heads. After soaking up the atmosphere and dunking your head in the water on a hot day, you can set yourself down in one of the eateries around the Square.

Enjoy the bougatsas, or vanilla cream pies, or have a crepe or a savoury souvlaki, if that takes your fancy. After your rest, you can walk down Handakos Street for shopping – it's closed to traffic so you can window shop in peace. In recent times a lot of effort has gone into making Heraklion a pleasant place for people, whether drivers or pedestrians. Large car parks have been set up on the outskirts of the town and there have been some efforts to pedestrianise certain streets in the town centre. You'll see that here's a few streets named after numbers running off the square. Not like in New York though. These streets are named after dates of significance. Look out for the Market that runs along 1866 Street (Odos 1866), commemorating the date of a Cretan Uprising, probably against the Turks. The market has a long history and sells many Cretan local products as well as socks and shirts too! As always in a Cretan Market, look out for thyme honey, cheese, and (Graham's favourite) raki!

The side streets off 1866 are a good place to find small eateries such as cafes, ouzeries and fish tavernas – excellent, simple food well priced. The town is close to the ruins of the palace of Knossos, which in Minoan times was the biggest centre of population on Crete. It has been assumed that there was a port here as long ago as 2000 BC, and today it remains an important shipping port and ferry dock. Knossos AN ARTIST'S IMPRESSION OF THE MINOAN PALACE AT KNOSSOS As the most popular tourist attraction on the Greek island of Crete, a visit to Knossos is a must. The imposing Palace of King Minos in Knossos lies just 5km from Iraklion. The site itself includes the Palace of Knossos, The Minoan Houses, the Little Palace, the Royal Villa, the villa Dionysos with famous Roman mosaics, the south Royal Temple – Tomb and the Caravanserai. Archaeological Museum Found in the town centre of Heraklion the Archaeological Museum is a definite must see for all who are interested in Minoan art and culture.

It is one the great museums of Greece and certainly the most important institution housing Minoan artifacts for all the world. It houses ancient objects discovered at the most important archaeological sites in Crete: Knossos, Phaestos, Malia, Tylissos, Gortys, Agia Triada, Mohlos, Gournia and Zakros. Other periods of Cretan history are covered too including artifacts from the Greco-Roman and Neolithic periods. Contact details: e-mail: amh@culture.gr Recommended Restaurants We don’t have much experience of eateries in Heraklion Town, so we would appreciate your views on the matter. Let us know of your experience eating in Heraklion by submitting your own restaurant review. Click here to fill in some simple details, and let us know what you think (we'll include it on the website). We've heard some good reports about the eateries in and around Lion's Square, where there are lots of souvlaki shops. Try Thraka especially. The brothers who own this (and at least 2 others) are very dedicated and provide a sumptuous alternative to the traditional Gyros.

The psomaki me souvlaki or a psomaki me gyro is a small loaf with souvlaki or gyros. They scrape out the bread from the middle to make some room, and after toasting it, fill it with pork, tomatoes, onions, chips, and (Alison's favourite) a dash of Greek Yoghurt. Delicious! Vegetarians wanting to avoid the meat can go two doors down where you can buy a spinach pie, cheese pie - or a crepe. Wine Tasting It's not surprising that many visitors want to sample the delicious wines of Crete and to visit the key wineries in the region. Here are a few places you might want to try. Fantaxometoho Boutaris Winery The Boutari winery and wine tasting hall is inside an estate vineyard called Fantaxometocho just 8km outside Heraklion. Minos Wines Located on the right side of the road close to the exit from the Peza village is the Milliarakis Winery of Minos Wines.

Wine tasting combined with an exhibition of old winery machines (pumps, bottling machines), as well as of an old traditional stone-made winepress makes for an interesting and informative day out. Peza Union Winery The Peza Agricultural Union is located on either side of the main road passing through the upland valley in the heart of the Peza appellation district a couple of kilometres past the Peza village. Free entry to the exhibition centre which is open from 9.00am - 3.00 pm Monday to Saturday includes wine tasting of 3 different kinds of wine along with traditional meze with olive oil . Heraklion Nightlife The nightlife in Crete is understandably vibrant as Heraklion is the capital city of Crete. Lots of ultra modern bars, cocktail bars and nightclubs can be found so you can dance the night away. The culture is Greek rather than UK/USA here in Heraklion (unlike Malia), with dance music and Greek pop the most populars themes. Where to stay As you might expect, there's a wide range of accommodation options in Crete's Capital from luxury hotels to basic apartments.

THE ATLANTIS LUXURY HOTEL The Atlantis Hotel is a good example of a hotel at the upper end of the market. It is located in a quiet central area, near the Archeological Museum, and close to the commercial center of Town. It has some of the best views of the sea and the harbour. It has 160 rooms including an executive and even a presidential suite! The Megaron Luxury Hotel boast it's "the only luxury hotel in the city", and who are we to argue! With 5 stars it is planted in the heart of the shopping district, again within walking distance of the Archaelogical and Historical museums and overlooking the old harbour. "The hotel's unique architecture and modern interior achieve a subtle blend of luxury and intimacy not easily forgotten". THE CASTELLO CITY HOTEL The City Hotel Castello is less up-up-market but still a good choice for location, amenities and price. It's located conveniently or the airport, port, and close to the shopping streets of Heraklion. Just some of the reasons we love Crete...

Scenic Views Heraklio - crete history luxury breaks conference centres crete information car rentals planes jets honeymoons Hotels and Information about Heraklion Crete Book live your hotel in Heraklion with Elounda.com online reservation system. The best hotels in the best rates! Heraklion The city of Heraklion or Iraklion is considered a most attractive Mediterranean capital with a variety of cultural and commercial events to offer to its residents and international guests. It has always been the business and social centre of Crete throughout its rich history. Heraklion's International Airport, Nikos Kazantzakis, named after the native Cretan Greek writer and philosopher, along with Heraklion's shipping port and ferry dock welcome millions of visitors, Greek and international, every year. During the summer season, traffic is intense as both the harbor and the airport receive visitors and give further access to a multitude of destinations including mainland Greece, Greek islands, Cyprus, Egypt and Europe. Heraklion is a city where warm hospitality, rich architecture, culture, leisure conveniences and urban nightlife have successfully intertwined to provide every visitor with a sincere Cretan stay.

Visitors can take advantage of the variety of sights they could see and experience in and around the prefecture of Heraklion by investing some quality time with their loved ones and going on a tour , cultural or nature, to see this splendid island of Crete. For the independent visitor who doesn't want structured itineraries, exclusive tours can be arranged to fit their requests or fine car hire can be arranged to ensure a visitor a sound and comfortable ride on the coastal and inland roads. Heraklion awaits to welcome all its guests and the Cretan people await to invite you to a bit of warm hospitality where music, food and drink are always on hand. Cretarent Affordable Car Hire Heraklion Airport Services Heraklion International Airport The airport is named after the famous Cretan writer and philosopher Nikos Kazantzakis. Heraklion Airport (IATA: HER), is the main airport on the Cretan island, and Crete second busiest airport after Athens. It is based about 6 km east of the city centre of Heraklion. The airport first opened in March 1939. The airport was then just a piece of flat farming land.

In the beginning the airport only offered very basic services, but due to the popularity of the island it became a top destination for people around the world. Cretarent Heraklion airport car rental offers you economy prices, top service and brand new vehicles. If you need a car for business or to explore the beautiful island, Cretarent has the right rental car for you choosing from a small/cheap car to a Minibus or a fast cabrio in Heraklion. Hire a car with Cretarent today. Cretarent representatives will meet you at the arrivals of the Heraklion airport holding a paper poster with your name, our car base parking is less than a minute away. Renting a car in Heraklion with Cretarent, can provide you with unlimited opportunities to really discover the beautiful island Heraklion and visit the nearby places and old towns as well, all without getting restricted by bus schedules or paying high rates for taxi services. Cretarent car hire service offers variety of cars in Heraklion and you can choose any of the car online that suits your requirement the best. The main reason for hiring car rental services with Cretarent in Heraklion is saving your money.

We at Cretarent Heraklion airport car rental & car rental Chania services will make sure to provide you with the first-class crete car hire service at the best price!! Book Now USEFUL CONTACT NUMBERS: Heraklion Airport tel (0030-2810) 344 324, (0030-28210) 63 264,63 219, (Chania airport) IATA: HER / Time Zone: GMT+2 / ICAO: LGSA Quick Links Nikos Kazantzakis - Cretan writer and philosopher Nikos Kazantzakis Nikos Kazantzakis (1883 - 1957) One of the most important Greek writers, poets and philosophers of the 20th century, was born in Iraklion in 1883. In 1906 he graduated from the Athens Law School and continued his studies in Paris (1907-1909). During the Balkan Wars he fought as a volunteer in the Greek Army.

After the Wars he travelled to many European and Asian countries, publishing travelogues from his trips (Spain, Egypt-Sina, China-Japan, What I saw in Russia, England etc.). Kazantzakis, much more of a philosopher than a writer, was deeply influenced by the writings of Nietzsche and Bergson, and the philosophies of Christianity, Marxism and Buddhism. In his work, he attempted to synthesize these different world views. In 1927 he published the book "Askitiki", the main work of his philosophy. In 1938, after constantly revising it for 13 years (1925-1938), he publishes his epic poet Odyssey: A modern sequel, continuing Ulysses's story form the point where Homer leaves off. This huge poetical work comprises of 33.333 verses. He became famous, however, during the last years of his life, when he turn to pezography.

During that time he published, among others, Zorba the Greek (Vios kai politeia tou Alexi Zorba), The Last Temptation of Christ (O teleftaios peirasmos), Freedom and Death (O Kapetan Mihalis), The Greek Passion (O Hristos ksanastavronetai : Christ is Recrucified ), and his autobiography Report to Greco (Anafora ston Greco). His book, The Last Temptation of Christ, was considered quite controversial when first published in 1955, and prompted angry reactions from both the Roman Catholic Church and the Greek Orthodox Church. In 28th of June 1956, in Vienna, he was awarded the International Peace Award. He died in 1957 in Germany and is buried on one of the bastions of the Venetian fort surrounding Iraklion, Martinengo . In the Historical Museum of Crete there is a room devoted to Nikos Kazantzakis. His desk, library, some of his personal belongings as well as manuscripts of many of his works are displayed.

A complete picture of Nikos Kazantzakis life and work can also be acquired by a visit to the Nikos Kazantzakis Museum in Myrtia. To honor the 40th anniversary from his death, a whole range of symposia, exhibitions and other cultural events have been organized, in 1997, in more than 13 countries of Europe and Australia by the "Society of Friends of Nikos Kazantzakis". These events were organized in cooperation with the Museum of Nikos Kazantzakis in Myrtia and with the University, cultural and local authorities. In November 1997 an International Symposium entitled "Nikos Kazantzakis, Crete and the three continents" took place in Iraklion. The international airport of Heraklion is named after Nikos Kazantzakis. The 50th anniversary of the death of Nikos Kazantzakis was selected as main motif for a high value Euro collectors' coins; the €10 Greek Nikos Kazantzakis commemorative coin, minted in 2007.

Photos motorclub.gr - Heraklion en Heraklion en Image Gallery Heraklion (/hɨˈrækliən/, also Heraclion, Iraklion; (Greek: Ηράκλειο, Irákleio, pronounced [iˈracʎo]) is the largest city and the administrative capital of the island of Crete, Greece. It is one of the largest cities in Greece. According to the results of 2011 census, the population of the city was 173.993 inhabitants while the Heraklion urban area has a population of 225.574 and extends over an area of 684.3 sq.km. Heraklion is the capital of Heraklion regional unit. The Bronze Age palace of Knossos, also known as the Palace of Minos, is located nearby. Name The Arab raiders from Andalusia who founded the Emirate of Crete moved the island's capital from Gortyna to a new castle they called ربض الخندق rabḍ al-ḫandaq 'Castle of the Moat' in the 820s.

This was hellenized as Χάνδαξ (Khándax) or Χάνδακας (Khándakas) and Latinized as Candia, which was taken into other European languages: in Italian and Latin as Candia, in French as Candie, in English as Candy, all of which could refer to the island of Crete as a whole as well as to the city alone; the Ottoman name was Kandiye. After the Byzantine reconquest, the city was locally known as Megalo Kastro or Castro (the Big Castle in Greek) and its inhabitants were called Kastrinoi or Castrini (Castle-dwellers in Greek). The ancient name Ηράκλειον was revived in the 19th century and comes from the nearby Roman port of Heracleum ("Heracles' city"), whose exact location is unknown. English usage formerly preferred the classicizing transliterations "Heraklion" or "Heraclion", but the form "Iraklion" is becoming more common.

History Heraklion is close to the ruins of the palace of Knossos, which in Minoan times was the largest centre of population on Crete. Though there is no archaeological evidence of it, Knossos may well have had a port at the site of Heraklion as long ago as 2000 BC. Founding The present city of Heraklion was founded in 824 by the Saracens who had been expelled from Al-Andalus by Emir Al-Hakam I and had taken over the island from the Eastern Roman Empire. They built a moat around the city for protection, and named the city ربض الخندق, rabḍ al-ḫandaq ("Castle of the Moat"). The Saracens allowed the port to be used as a safe haven for pirates who operated against Imperial shipping and raided Imperial territory around the Aegean. Byzantine Era In 961, Byzantine forces under the command of Nikephoros Phokas, later to become Emperor, landed in Crete and attacked the city. After a prolonged siege, the city fell. The Saracen inhabitants were slaughtered, the city looted and burned to the ground.

Soon rebuilt, the town was renamed Χάνδαξ, Chandax, and remained under Greek control for the next 243 years. Venetian Era In 1204, the city was bought by the Republic of Venice as part of a complicated political deal which involved, among other things, the Crusaders of the Fourth Crusade restoring the deposed Eastern Roman Emperor Isaac II Angelus to his throne. The Venetians improved on the ditch of the city by building enormous fortifications, most of which are still in place, including a giant wall, in places up to 40 m thick, with 7 bastions, and a fortress in the harbour. Chandax was renamed Candia and became the seat of the Duke of Candia, and the Venetian administrative district of Crete became known as "regno di Candia" (kingdom of Candia). The city retained the name of Candia for centuries and the same name was often used to refer to the whole island of Crete as well. To secure their rule, Venetians began in 1212 to settle families from Venice on Crete.

The coexistence of two different cultures and the stimulus of Italian Renaissance led to a flourishing of letters and the arts in Candia and Crete in general, that is today known as the Cretan Renaissance. Ottoman Era After the Venetians came the Ottoman Empire. During the Cretan War (1645–1669), the Ottomans besieged the city for 21 years, from 1648 to 1669, perhaps the longest siege in history. In its final phase, which lasted for 22 months, 70,000 Turks, 38,000 Cretans and slaves and 29,088 of the city's Christian defenders perished. The Ottoman army under an Albanian grand vizier, Köprülü Fazıl Ahmed Pasha conquered the city in 1669. Under the Ottomans, the city was known officially as Kandiye (again also applied to the whole island of Crete) but informally in Greek as Megalo Castro (Μεγάλο Κάστρο; "Big Castle").

During the Ottoman period, the harbour silted up, so most shipping shifted to Chania in the west of the island. Modern era In 1898, the autonomous Cretan State was created, under Ottoman suzerainty, with Prince George of Greece as its High Commissioner and under international supervision. During the period of direct occupation of the island by the Great Powers (1898–1908), Candia was part of the British zone. At this time, the city was renamed "Heraklion", after the Roman port of Heracleum ("Heracles' city"), whose exact location is unknown. In 1913, with the rest of Crete, Heraklion was incorporated into the Kingdom of Greece. Architecture and urban sculpture At the port of the city dominate the Venetian constructions, such as the Koules Fortress (Rocca al Mare), the ramparts and the arsenal. Around the city can be found several sculptures, statues and busts commemorating significant events and figures of the city's and island's history, like El Greco, Vitsentzos Kornaros, Nikos Kazantzakis and Eleftherios Venizelos.

Also, many fountains of the Venetian-era are preserved, such as the Bembo fountain, the Priuli fountain, Palmeti fountain, Sagredo fountain and Morosini fountain (in Lions Square). Transportation Port Heraklion is an important shipping port and ferry dock. Travellers can take ferries and boats from Heraklion to destinations including Santorini, Ios Island, Paros, Mykonos, and Rhodes. There are also several daily ferries to Piraeus, the port of Athens in mainland Greece. Airport Heraklion International Airport, or Nikos Kazantzakis Airport is located about 5 kilometres (3 miles) east of the city. The airport is named after Heraklion native Nikos Kazantzakis, a writer and philosopher. It is the second busiest airport of Greece, due to Crete being a major holiday destination. The airfield is shared with the 126 Combat Group of the Hellenic Air Force. Highway Network European route E75 runs through the city and connects Heraklion with the three other major cities of Crete: Agios Nikolaos, Chania, and Rethymno.

Public transit There are a number of buses serving the city and connecting it to many major destinations in Crete. Railway From 1922 to 1937, there was a working industrial railway, which connected the Koules in Heraklion to Xiropotamos, for the construction of the harbor. A study from the year 2000 investigated the feasibility for two tram lines in Heraklion. The first line would link the Stadium to the airport, and the second the center of Heraklion and Knossos. No approval has yet been given for this proposal. In the summer of 2007, at the Congress of Cretan emigrants, held in Heraklion, two qualified engineers, George Nathenas and Vassilis Economopoulos, recommended the development of a railway line in Crete, linking Chania, Rethymnon and Heraklion, with a total journey time of 50 minutes (30 minutes between Heraklion and Rethymnon, 20 minutes from Chania to Rethymnon) and with provision for extensions to Kissamos, Kastelli Pediados (for the planned new airport), and Aghios Nikolaos.

No plans exist for implementing this idea. Image Gallery Heraklion city and Heraklion airport Heraklion: Crete’s window to the world When you visit Crete, it is but natural for your first stop on the island to be Heraklion, or more specifically, the Heraklion airport or the Heraklion port. Heraklion city, also known as Iraklion, is Crete’s capital city and window to the world – the centre of its economy, commerce and development, as well as the heart of its tourism and cultural endeavours. Located 5 km east of the city is the Heraklion International Airport, the second largest and second busiest airport in the whole of Greece. The city is also a major port of call for cruise ships and cargo liners. A Brief History of Heraklion Heraklion is the jewel of Crete, and it is a status that it has enjoyed since olden times. Very close to Heraklion is the palace of Knossos, the centre of the ancient Minoan civilisation, which is the first civilisation that ever grew in the European continent.

Though Crete coexisted with its neighbouring country of Greece during the Hellenistic period of European history, it was conquered by Rome in 69 BC in a military conquest by Quintus Caecilius Metellus. With the fall of Rome, Crete became part of the Byzantine Empire. In 1204, Crete became a holding of the Venetian Republic. At this time, Heraklion became known as Candia. Under Venetian rule, Heraklion and the whole of Crete went through an enormous cultural development. This came to end, however, when Crete was taken by the Turks and became a territory of the Ottoman Empire. Crete finally gained its independence from the Turks in 1897. In 1913, the island-country united with Greece. Heraklion Today Today, Heraklion remains the cosmopolitan centre of Crete, with a population of around 200,000. It is home to Crete’s premiere cultural, technological and educational institutions such as the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, the Historical Museum of Heraklion, the Technology Park and the University of Crete.

Crete is an important tourist destination not just in Greece but in the whole of Europe, and visitors to Crete enter the island mostly through Heraklion. The island receives around three million tourists every year, especially during the summer months. Some tourists come to the city via ferry boat. Ferry boats travel regularly to Heraklion from Athens in mainland Greece and Thessaloniki. Travel time through ferry boat from Athens takes eight hours, while sailing from Thessaloniki takes an entire day. Most tourists to Crete enter the island through the Heraklion Airport. The airport is also known as the Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport, named after the most important writer and philosopher that Greece produced in the 20th century. As mentioned above, the Heraklion International Airport is the second largest and the second busiest airport in Greece. Being a cosmopolitan city, Heraklion teems with life. There are many sights to see and places to go for entertainment in Heraklion. Bus lines serve as the main mode of transportation through the city, but the best way to travel around the city is by getting a rental car , which is easy to get and brings a lot of convenience to travelling around the city.

Heraklion - Prefecture in Crete - Kreta - Greece Large detailed map of Crete click to enlarge Job in Crete - Greece Heraklion Prefecture - Crete Heraklion ( Greek Ηράκλειο - Irákleio or Iráklio), also Heraklio is a prefecture of Greece , one of the four prefectures of Crete . The capital is the city of Heraklion . Heraklion or Iraklion ( Greek : Ηράκλειο, Irákleio, Venetian : Candia), is the largest city and capital of Crete . It is also the fourth largest city in Greece . Its name is also spelled Herakleion, a transliteration of the ancient Greek and Katharevousa name, Iraklio, among other variants. For centuries it was known as Candia, a Venetian adaptation of the earlier Greek name Χάνδαξ or Χάνδακας, which in turn came from the Arabic . Under the Ottoman Empire , it was called Turkish : Kandiye).

In the local vernacular, it is often called Κάστρο (Kástro, castle) and its inhabitants Καστρινοί (Kastrinoí, castle dwellers). Heraklion is the capital of Heraklion Prefecture , with an international airport named after the writer Nikos Kazantzakis . The ruins of Knossos , which were excavated and restored by Arthur Evans , are nearby. Heraklion Port - Crete Hersonissos (Greek: Λιμένας Χερσονήσου - Liménas Chersonísou) is a town in the north of Crete , on the Mediterranean . This community is about 25 kilometers east of Heraklion and west of Agios Nikolaos . What is usually called Hersonissos is in fact its peninsula and harbour. It is part of the Heraklion Prefecture just 25 klm from the Heraklion airport and 27 klm from the Heraklion port. Hersonissos Port - Crete Hersonissos is oriented towards tourism industry, and popular with Dutch , British and German nationals.

At the end of it there are big hotels and the Star Beach with slides, bars, pools, games, bungie jump, go-karts, like a day time club. There is also a lot to do for children. In the main street there are many souvenir shops, as well as other shops and restaurants, some of which are near the sea. There is also a small aquarium called Aquaworld Aquarium featuring local sea life and reptiles, which the children can hold. Nightlife is also important, and feature discos, clubs, bars and pubs. One can take a sight-seeing train that runs down the main street along the sea, and provides access to the surroundings of Chersonissos. People who like to rest and sunbath on holiday can enjoy Hersonissos, for it has beautiful beaches, and excursions to other places on Crete can be made from here as well. Like many communities on Crete, the local economy is not only based on tourism, but also on agriculture. In the fall, when most of the tourists have left, many people normally employed in the tourism industry earn money with the olive harvest.

Malia or Mallia (Greek: Μάλια) is a coastal town and a municipality on the island of Crete , in Greece , 34km east of Heraklion , the Cretan capital city. The town (pop. 3,722 in 2001) is the seat of the Municipality of Mália (pop. 6,212), located in the northeast corner of Heraklion Prefecture . The municipality also includes the villages of Mochos (1,155), Krassi (348), and Stalis (987), and has a total land area of 60.720 km². The town is a tourist attraction, primarily for its prolific archeological site and nightlife. The Minoan town ruins lie 3 km east of the site and cover an area of approximately 1km². The original name for the town is not known, but it is said that Emperor Pannos had called it Aegean Sky as early as 69 BC[ citation needed ].

Car Rental in Heraklion Crete | Rent A Car From Chania and all the airports in Crete | Car Hire Crete: the island of the Minoans Are you planning a trip on Crete? Before you get a car, get more Information! Have you worked for months and now it is time for vacations? The best place to provide you the maximum of the relaxation should absolutely have warm sun, clean seas, surreal landscape and of course good nightlife. There is no better option for all that except the wonderful island of Crete in Greece! Crete is the biggest island on the Greeks seas and the most favorite destination for the tourists. Natural beauty, such as mountains and crystal sea combined with the rich history will surely amaze you. Crete is quite long and you will not be able to see the entire island easily (unless you spend way more days on your vacation than your boss gave). To make your stay easier and enjoy your trip, get a car rental from Crete Heraklion airport, as soon as you arrive there. The use of the public transportation may you think will help.

But actually is more complicate to use it as you think and if you make the mistake and stay only on the City’s area or nearby you will miss many beauties and even more you will spend a lot more money to find a way to go where you want. The cities of Crete offer cheap but yet still good quality holidays. Always and everywhere there are places that can be a little more expensive but this island it is one of the cheapest islands of the Aegean Sea. Wonderful images from Heraklion, Chania and the rest Crete! About Heraklion Heraklion is the largest city of Crete and one of the most important urban centers of Greece. Began to develop after the 9th century B.C.( in ancient times, the downtown area was Knossos and Gortyn later ), and later successively conquered by the Arabs, Venetians and Ottomans, who gave the alternative name Candia. During the Olympic Games in 2004, was one of the Olympic Cities and hosted matches of the soccer tournament. The city of Heraklion clearly reflects the different cultures that have flourished over the centuries: Byzantine buildings stand next to Venetian public and private buildings and Ottoman structures.

Heraklion is a wonderful city, but avoid to use the car for short distances in the center of the city. With the car is most likely to need more time to go to your destination than if you prefer to take a walk. The car is absolutely useful but just to explore the beauties of the Crete outside the city. The Airport of Heraklion Heraklion International Airport, “Nikos Kazantzakis” is the primary airport on the island of Crete and the country’s second busiest airport after Athens International Airport. It is located about 4-5 km east of the main city center, near of the Alikarnassos. It is a shared civil/military facility. The airport is named after Heraklion native Nikos Kazantzakis, a Greek writer and philosopher. About Chania The region of Chania (Haniá), on the western side of the island, is dominated by the impressive White Mountains (in Greek: Lefká Óri) and its famous National Park, which occupy the largest part of the region.The Prefecture of Chania provides tourist services and activities of all kinds, satisfying all the choices.

The city of Chania maintains unaltered all of its characteristics, from the time of the Venetian Rule up until today. The Airport of Chania Chania International Airport, "Ioannis Daskalogiannis" is an international airport located 14km east from Hani. It is named after Ioannis Daskalogiannis, a Cretan revolutionary against Ottoman rule in the 18th century and is a joint civil - military airport (Souda Air Base). You can use a public bus to go to the airport or rent a Taxi(~16 euros) About Rethymnon Rethymno is the heart of Crete and one of the most beautiful places in Greece. Blue sea and rich natural life, mountains as Psiloritis make Rethymno one place full of surprises. There are many sightseeing you can visit, such as numerous Byzantine churches and monasteries, Venetian monuments. You can enjoy with many field trips and discover magical caves, canyons and the villages around the city. Taste the local kitchen and hear the sound of the Cretan Lyra while you are drinking Raki! It is a strong drink but is worldwide famous and you must try it.

The people of the villages are more than pleased to have you as their guests. They are the reason of the famous Greek hospitality. They always are welcome you as honorable quest and offer you food a drink. This place is the birthplace of Zeus, the god of the Greek mythology and the god of hospitality. Rent a Car Rental in Heraklion Airport Car Rentals is interesting for the quality of your vacations. We are trying our best to get you more and more informations to every single place you want to visite and. One way is to check the TripAdvisor widget to see were to go in Crete, what to do and where to eat. Pick up:

Question: The International Airport at the Cretan capital of Heraklion is named after which writer?
Answer: NIKOS KAZANTZAKIS